This Thesis explores, documents and hopefully establishes the utility of Advocacy Research as an alternative research methodology. It is a methodology that integrates research with advocacy and action in social work practice.
The Process
The process that led to this thesis began during the field practice part of the social work course. The field practice involved doing breastfeeding advocacy. The importance of the issue of breastfeeding led to a study of the breastfeeding policies and practices in selected Metro Manila hospitals.
These findings were published in two parts in a health newsletters (Health Alert, see appendix B) and thus became a piece of advocacy. The findings were fed back to the respondents.
Advocacy Research
This led to the development of the idea of Advocacy Research: connecting research which is biased for the poor and oppressed (defined according to Freire) with advocacy/action in social work practice. It is a variant of participatory action research, and participatory action research provides its basis. But while participatory action research is community-based, advocacy research is issue-based. In this instance, the issue is breastfeeding.
The conceptual framework and review of related literature attempt to place Advocacy Research within the social science research framework. This framework encompasses traditional, positivist research through qualitative research and the humanist and Structuralist perspectives. There is also the important process of conscientization.
Breastfeeding Study or Phase I
The breastfeeding research is presented: the methodology, which hospitals were chosen and why, the profile of respondents, and highlights of the findings on bottlefeeding and breastfeeding.
Thesis or Phase II
Here in Phase II the breastfeeding research was fed back to respondents, and their reactions, and subsequent actions, were examined. Hence the breastfeeding research was assessed for its usefulness as a means of advocacy. Had the feedback changed the outlook of the respondents (the health professionals from the the hospitals in the study)? Had it made them aware of anti-breastfeeding policies and practices in their hospitals?
The thesis categorizes the respondents into four case levels if impact (or conscientization), case levels which also take into account each respondent's awareness of the issue of breastfeeding before this study took place.
Hence case level A are those respondents on whom the study had no impact. Case level B are those whose personal awareness was beginning, but whose action in response was only limited. Case level C are those who were already aware and now have enhanced awareness, but who continue their previous level of action. Case level D are those with increased awareness, and who respond with high-level action.
Research showed that the study helped to raise the degree of awareness, to varying levels, of fifteen of the seventeen respondents. Twelve of the seventeen respondents have already used the study for concrete action.
Implications
These findings, and the development of the idea and the process of Advocacy Research, with which this thesis deals, have implications for social work practice and social work education. The thesis strongly advocates that the social worker becomes convinced of the urgent need to search for relevant alternative methodologies in the Third World context. It hopes that other Advocacy Researches will be attempted in order that this methodology may be improved, and furthermore that students will be encouraged by social work educators to come up with their own innovations.
It is a rich and rewarding experience to undertake an advocacy research.
 

Honculada, Jacquelyn Schramm (March 1989), Advocacy Research in social work practice: focus on breastfeeding as against artificial infant formula feeding